I will be at the Art de Vin in Roscommon

The Forest Dunes Golf Course is working with the Enchante Gallery of West Branch to bring Art de Vin, a celebration of Michigan art, wine, hops and harvest on Saturday, Aug. 9th. I have been asked to display and maybe demonstrate at this event. There's more information below:
http://www.forestdunesgolf.com/Art-de-Vin_ea42e235161df0b7af535.html

Chantelle Pereault, the Enchante Gallery owner, has brought together various artists from the area. I was asked because I had my exhibit in her gallery last month. I was the first solo exhibition to show there, as it is a new gallery in West Branch.
I'm looking forward to participating in this event. I always like showing my work, talking about it and drawing or painting. I get a big kick out of it. If you're in the area, stop by. It's rain or shine, so weather isn't an issue.

VIETMIME!! VIETMIME!!

Ok, I started working in a place in my hometown 3 years ago. I stumbled across an old friend working there. His name was, and if I'm correct, still is, Tim Schaiberger. We caught up and found that we both had families of our own and graduated, yada,yada.

A couple months into the job, Tim asked if I would be interested in drawing a graphic novel he had in mind to write about his father who was a medic in Vietnam. My first thought was "M.A.S.H." Different war, same idea, I thought. Being a wise ass, I said, "I kinda has been done. What if you put a mime in Vietnam?" We both froze and stared at each other.

A mime in Vietnam. Haven't heard of that before...

Since then, we have been brainstorming and collaberating and sketching, typing, inking, erasing, emailing like crazy. Because our individual schedules and lives, it's taken FAR longer to finish this project than we'd hoped. But it wasn't a top priority because it wasn't a paying job. Still isn't. But we still wanna finish it, and are VERY close. He and I are co-creators, he is the plotter and scripter and I am the co-scripter, penciler, inker, graphics and anything else art related. We have decided that our collaberative efforts would be named "Nutberger Ink (Nut for Nuttall, Berger for Schaiberger).

We will finish "Vietmime" soon. Very soon. At least the first issue. We figure it would run as a miniseries and put it together as a graphic novel.

It's action, comedy, and drama. It still tells of a medic nicknamed "Bacsi" (Vietnamese for "Little Doctor", or at least that's what Tim tells me) during the Tet Offensive. DISCLAIMER: We are NOT aiming for historical accuracy!! Parts of the story are taken from war tales Tim's dad would tell him before he passed. Most parts are just plain made up to make for a fun read.

If this sounds interesting to you, a story of a mime trapped in Vietnam during the Vietnam war, PLEASE COMMENT!!!! As soon as I have some decent scans of the artwork, I will post them.

Now, some of you might own a copy of the comic I did in college, "M.I.A.: Mime In Action". My instructor wanted me to do an original story, not one already worked on. So, I did the follow up to Vietmime, following the Mime some time after the original story during a new mission. That was written, drawn, inked and lettered by me. Tim was not a part of it, other being co-creator to the Mime. Which is why the story sucks. My writing is not quite as good as my drawing. Above is a page from "VIETMIME" and a flyer I started with our caricature I drew for promotion.

Wish us luck!

Commission Work

As any regular Nuttall Art readers may have noticed, I post alot about artwork for sale. What I don't mention enough is that I am also for hire for commission work. The images above are from the last gig I was hired for. They are oil pastel of grandkids of the woman who hired me. I'm actually very proud of these pieces, as they are the second and third oil pastels I've ever done.

I have also been hired to sketch at parties and do caricatures.

Well, I'll be! The truth IS out there!!!

Well, it's been explained concerning the two Sergio awards. Mr. Stan Sakai wrote me back with this:





There were, technically, two Sergios. The older one,was never cast as it was much too complicated--that isthe one with the computer, pen, etc. It had t be castin six parts then attached. The newer one, given toStan Lee, is the official one--simpler, cleaner, witha great design. It is also much easier to cast. s

The image on the far left is the one Stan Lee received, and is the current one. Both, however, share a certain resemblance to a certain artist with the same name.

So, you can all rest easy now.
Thank you again, Mr. Sakai.

I DID Err!!!

The great Stan Sakai sent me a link to a photo of himself, Sergio Aragones and Stan Lee the night Mr. Lee received "The Sergio" award

1n 2007. Here is a link to Mr. Sakai's post on his blog:

http://usagiguy.livejournal.com/13699.html

This photo shows a different statue than the one I previously posted. I'm trying to find out why....

A correction (thank you Usagiguy)

I was notified by a reader (THANK YOU) that the award that bears Sergio Aragones' image is called "The Sergio". This award banquet was created by the members of CAPS (Comic Art Professional Society) to honor writers, artists, performers, etc who have impacted the comic industry. The award given was named after the co-founder of CAPS, Sergio Aragones. He was the second honoree to receive this statue, after Jack Davis in 2006.

CAPS was formed in 1977 by Sergio Aragones, Mark Evanier and Don Rico. It was formed as a group of common interest people to socialize and share in information and updates. Some of the current members, along Aragones and Evanier, are comic greats Stan Sakai, Matt Groening, Tom Luth and Stan Lee, to name a very few of very many.

For the full, ACCURATE story of how the statue of "the Sergio" was designed by THE Sergio, and switched designs behind his back, click here.

Did I Err?? No...

I gotta post this. It's tugging at me.

I'm working on a book about the experiences I've had through my artwork, so the stories told here will be brief so if I DO finish the book, people will still buy it. However, I gotta show these pics and write about 'em.

One of the large parts of the book will be about the man above, Mr. Sergio Aragones.

Sergio began drawing for MAD Magazine in 1963 (if that's incorrect I'll fix later) up until now, missing only one issue as fault of the post office. He is a widely recognized cartoonist, receiving countless awards and portrayed in one award (I'll add the name of the award later).

How I was introduced by the great Aragones was flipping through comics of my cousins and brothers. At the age of 7, I picked up my first intro to Sergio Aragones' GROO THE WANDERER, and I haven't stopped flipping. It is about a mindless wandering barbarian who is quick with his swords and slow of mind. He tries to fight for good, but in fact he just tries to fight. I began drawing the gourd-nosed warrior instantly, and playing Groo (nobody knew what I was doing, so I played with trees. Really, I played Groo with trees as playmates). I learned how to read in part from Groo (and comics in general, a credit comic books don't get. They help to learn kids to read). I also learned of the legend of Groo through the writings of the Groo writer, Mark Evanier. He would tell stories in the letters page of how kind and how crazy FAST Sergio can draw. Many fans and friends speak highly of how fast Sergio can think and draw. I became fascinated by this fact and tried my hardest to learn to draw fast, just like my hero (did I just say HERO??). I will stop here in my brief history lesson and explain the photos above.

In 2007 the fans of GROO celebrated the 25th anniversary of GROO. The "Groo Crew" (which consists of Sergio Aragones( creator, plotter, artist), Mark Evanier (writer), Stan Sakai (letterer, creator of Usagi Yojimbo), and Tom Luth (colorist)) released a 25th anniversary book, after 4 years of a Groo-less world. Also in 2007 came a new miniseries, Groo: Hell On Earth. It also marked the return of Sergio to the Michigan based comic convention, the Motor City Comic Con in Novi, Michigan. Also attending was comic great Stan Sakai, letterer of Groo since 1982 and most notably the creator of Usagi Yojimbo. These two comic powerhouses are good friends and colleagues and were seated next to each other at the Motor City Con.

After almost 25 years of writing to the GROO GRAMS (the letters page for Groo to the creators), doodling Groo on any paper in front of me, and dreaming of meeting my idol, I finally came face to face with one of the men responsible for my becoming an artist. With me I brought a drawing I did for Sergio, two block prints for him, a copy of my comic M.I.A.: Mime In Action, a few things to get signed, and photos. One of the photos is shown in the photo above of a papier mache sculpture I did of Sergio and Groo. He seemed genuinely impressed and flattered. I also showed pics of each of my kids dressed as Groo for their first Halloweens. Unfortunately for them, they were all either one month old or one WEEK old when we dressed them. I also showed him my Groo sculpture I did 7 years ago, and he loved it, and told me "You know, I sculpt too! I sculpted this piece here", he told me as he pointed to a bust of Groo and his dog Rufferto. I had thought for years that someone else had done that, I told him, and was very impressed that it was he who did it.

I also bugged the hell out of Stan Sakai, another one of the nicest gentlemen I have ever had the pleasure to meet. I will post that meeting soon, but right now my hands are cramping and my wife is glaring at me about being at the computer too long, so keep checking in for more pics, more stories about these two men called Sergio and Sten...er, I mean STAN (started rhyming. Sorry!) and my historical day with them!

Rock &Roll

It's been a long time

Since I...

...well...

...posted a drawing that's up for sale on Ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160263012383

I did this drawing of the great ROBERT PLANT, formerly of Led Zeppelin, currently touring with bluegrass singer Alison Krauss. I am a HUGE Plant fan, from Zeppelin, from The Honeydrippers, and from is solo career. He just has a great voice and presence that I had to draw him. This piece is a charcoal drawing. I'm putting it up for Ebay and might have prints available eventually. PLEASE comment and let me know what you think, and let other Zep fans know of it.

Duke Art

Alright, pilgrims.

I am putting up one of my older and one of my favorite drawings up on Ebay, my John Wayne charcoal drawing from one of my favorite movies, "The Shootist". http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160262939364

This movie was John Wayne's last film. He found out in the early 70's that he had cancer. He beat it and did some movies, but either before or during the making of "The Shootist", the cancer returned. The film is about an aging gunslinger, or shootist, who finds out that he has cancer and doesn't have long to live. He chooses to stay in a small town that seems to have some old enemies in residence. The doctor who confirmed his illness, played by Jimmy Stewart, tells John Wayne (I'm paraphrasing here), "If I were you, and this is just me, I would not die the death I just described."

I thought it was a fantastic film and a perfect finale for John Wayne. This drawing is a personal favorite to me, and I hate to let it go, but I gotta do what I gotta do to keep the lights on.

I now have a store

I think I just opened an Ebay store to sell artwork and prints/posters. Here's the link. I don't know what the hell I'm doing, so bear with me!
http://stores.ebay.com/Nuttall-Art

Floatin' on a Bubble...

As posted before, I had the great chance to meet rock legend Joe Walsh of the James Gang, The Eagles and a very successful solo career. In 2000 I did the drawing above for Joe Walsh and took it to the Common Ground Festival. I was not allowed to take the drawing into the show, so I had to take it back to my car. As I turned away, discouraged, one of the guards asked to see the drawing. I showed it to him and he was floored! He told me that he was going to talk to his boss about getting me and the drawing backstage to Joe's management, at least, and to meet him in a couple hours (this was before 1pm and the show started at 8pm). When I met up with him later, he said his boss told him to blow me off and tell me he'd take it for me. The guard loved the drawing and really wanted to see me get the artwork to Joe. Throughout the day we met a few times, only to tell me to meet him later.
One of our last meetings he told me that he would have to escort me to my car to get the drawing, escort me back in and lead me to the guard rail in beside the stage. He said this would have to take place AFTER the show.
Well, the show started, Joe kicked ASS and I waited where I was supposed to. And I waited. And waited. I thought he blew me off, when all of a sudden I heard "Let's GO Jason!!! FOLLOW ME!!!" He ran past me and waved me along. I chased after him and we ran to the car. Across the street, I lost my new prescription sunglasses in traffic (and all my oxygen. I was out of shape!!!). We grabbed the drawing and ran back. We got to the guard rail and he went back to talk to some other guards. He came back and told me to wait cuz Joe's manager wanted to meet me and see the drawing. While I waited, other fans stood by me as guards told them "Sorry. Joe already left. Time to go", and I snickered. The guard came back with a larger man (than me, at least) and walked off with a thumbs up to me and a smile. The bear of a man introduced himself as Smokey Wendell and asked to see the drawing. I showed him and his eyes glazed over. He said he hadn't expected that kind of quality and started pointing out the different images.
"Hey, that's from the '80 tour. This one's from '92 and that's the '81 tour!" Smokey said. He told me that Joe gets alot of gifts and that there's a chance that this piece might end up leaning against a pile of pictures against a wall in Joe's house. I told him that as long as Joe gets it and likes it. If not, I would be okay with an autograph, as Smokey mentioned might be better.
He took the drawing to Joe to get the okay. I came back and fans were still trying to get a glimpse of Joe with security pushing them out telling them he already left.
Smokey came back without the drawing and told me to follow him. We went back behind Joe's bus and there stood Joe, talking to somebody. I walked up and waited and he turned and smiled.
"Hi. You did that drawing?" Joe Walsh asked.
"Yeah. I'm Jason Nuttall", I whimpered out.
"You know, usually I'm not into this kind of thing, but I'm really flattered. Thanks."
"You're very welcome. Could I get a photo?"
"Yeah, sure. We'll get two".
After the photos, I asked him to sign a couple things, shook hands and Smokey led me away. He told me that he wanted me to take the drawing because they had nowhere on the bus to carry it. Smokey gave me an address to send the drawing to, though and he'd pick it up after the tour.
It was a great experience and Joe was very kind and warm to this geeky lil fan.

PAINT IT RED

(the poster above is labeled wrong. The title "Long Road to RED" should be "Paint It Red")

When I have ample time, I will tell the tale of a Red Rocker named Sammy Hagar. Until then, here's a collage I put together of around half the artwork Sammy has in his possession. I call it "Paint It Red", from the Hagar song "Red":

"RED!

RED!

Paint it Red

Green ain't mean compared to Red!!"

FYI there is ONE image on the collage that Sammy does not have, and that's the large woodblock print (b&W) in the center. Someday, I hope...

11x17 is $12,

18x24 is $20

I'm putting one up on Ebay.

Juggling act

(The picture above is by five year old Rebecca. It's a family portrait with left to right: Rebecca, Logan, Mommy and Michael on her MagnaDoodle)

As some of you may know, I am not only an artist but a husband and father of 3 children ages 5, 3 and 1 yr old. My wife, Melissa, is an artist as well, a ceramicist to be specific.

I have been drawing since I was 7 years old and have been on the road to being a professional artist ever since. I had figured that I would probably be alone most of my life, so living the life of an artist would only affect me. To be an artist is to give up alot to practice your craft. The term "starving artist" came from somewhere, didn't it? So after high school, I started art classes at Kirtland Community College, not looking to get any type of degree. My goal was to get better at what I do, while taking a class here and there and MAYBE I would earn a degree along the way. Well, after 4 years of drawing, painting, photography and the occasional english or math class, my financial aid ran out. But not before sneaking off to Cabo San Lucas in 1999 for a week. While there, I visited the Cabo Wabo Cantina daily, with paper and pencil in my clutches. I also brought artwork for Sammy Hagar, who owns and frequents the Cantina. I felt so much appreciation for my abilities while there. If I was drawing, people would stop and stare and ask questions and seemed genuinely interested in my artwork. It was an exhilirating experience. I also think of the trip as a sabatical (did I spell that right?).

When I returned to school the following week, I met a new instructor by the name of Melissa. She taught a college course to 8th graders and was using the photo lab I worked in. This was in October. In December we were seeing each other. In 2002 we married and had our first child, Rebecca in September.

And that's when things got complicated.

Since then, I've left one job after 9 years, started back to college, had two more children, started another job and tried to continue my art career. The jobs I've had were non-art related. The year after our daughter was born, I decided to go back to college (my financial aid at Kirtland ran out in 2000 and I left) and the day I signed up for classes at SVSU my wife lost part of her job that would have kept us supported well enough. When I tried to return to my job of nine years, I found that while I was off to college, they had "terminated" me and I was unemployed for over a year. My only source of income was my job at school as lab attendant.

My schedule from 2003-2007 as a full time art student and part-time husband/father consisted of Mon-thurs on the road by 7am and leaving classes at 10pm with a one hour drive home. Throughout the night, the baby (or kids as it came to be every two years) would wake us up. Friday through Sunday would be filled with Melissa teaching on Friday and me working those three nights (I got a minimum wage job in 2005). The only time I had for my art was at school for classes, which wasn't always the most fulfilling since the work was to satisfy instructors and not me.

Once a year, and sometimes twice, I would get a commission job, where someone paid me to do a portrait. When this happened, I would have to wait until the kids were settled enough so that Melissa wouldn't need help with them and I would lock myself in the bathroom in our apartment and draw or paint. If someone needed the bathroom, specifically our potty training toddlers, I would have to rush around to hide and cover my supplies so they wouldn't get into them, unlock the door and let them in and wait until they were done. By that point, they wanted to play with daddy so I would give up my quest to create. We moved into a house with a basement in 2006 before our third kid, Logan was born. Same situation, but harder. I have to basically abandon my family to work on my artwork. I've been doing it since I started my family, pushing myself away so I can continue down the path that I started on 23 years ago. Whether it was going to college for my Bachelor of Fine Arts for four years ( I graduated in 2007) four days a week and leaving before they awoke and coming home after they're in bed, or being lucky enough to get hired for a portrait and hiding in the basement so they don't know I'm in the house. As it is, I am currently working on a commission piece. It stands on my easel in the basement and has been for 3 months. In three months I've put roughly 12 hours into the project. I might work an hour and hear a blood curdling scream or Melissa calling for me and I have to stop, climb the stairs, fix whatever problem's come up and most of the time I don't get back to the work.

As a practicing artist, one has to be selfish. They have to surround themselves with creative environments and leave their schedules open for things like exhibits, meetings, art competitions, and just be able to work. As a father, I can't be selfish. I have to do everything I can to keep the kids and my wife happy, or at least healthy. Artwork, especially in my area, does not sell well. I may have an exhibit or have an article in the paper, but I am not making the money needed to support a family of five. It's a constant struggle to justify continuing as a professional artist, because it isn't paying off. I never wanted to think of it that way, that this painting might sell better than this, or maybe I should push my project aside to do something more popular that might sell. But, if I don't make money on the artwork , I can't abandon my familyupstairs to do it. Even if it's for money, working on a project is complicated. My wife constantly rolls her eyes when I say the words "I gotta work downstairs" or mention that someone asked me to demonstrate at an event. As an artist, she knows the pull of the craft, but her responsibilities as a mother take center stage. And I try to do the same, but at the same time, I'm trying to build a reputation and a career on something that doesn't sell well, so I have to work jobs that take up alot of my time from both my art and my family. If there's a day off, I don't work on drawing, but rather take the kids out to play or stay with them so mommy gets out for once.

Right now, the job situation isn't an issue, because I quit the job that didn't allow for a raise or promotion. I was trying to support a family of five on minimum wage for 15 hours a week. And I was being lied to and lied about. My wife and I are traveling 65 miles one way to teach classes four days a week at the Midland Center for the Arts for two weeks, and she's teaching once a week in Saginaw for 3 weeks. Right now, being an artist/husband/father is very stressful and complicated. I cannot travel to different areas for art competitions or exhibits because it's a selfish thing to do to leave my wife with three screaming kids while I do what I enjoy. I will never make it back to Cabo unless the kids are old enough that my wife and I can both go or all five of us can go, but it won't be the same sebatical as before. I can't move to a larger, richer area because I have to uproot my entire family and take them with me.

I am currently selling what I can on Ebay for as low a price as possible just so I can make something from my art career. To pay my bills and get diapers.

I am very proud of my accomplishments as an artist. I have met my heroes, exhibited solo 3 times and multiple times in group exhibits, been in newspapers and radio, and am occasionally recognized as "the guy that draws Sammy Hagar". I graduated from college while raising a family of five (saying it like that sounds like it was just me. I became a weekend dad, and even then I wasn't around alot. Melissa raises the kids. I just paid for the diapers. Sometimes).

I am also very proud of my family. My oldest is starting first grade in September and draws FANTASTICALLY!!! She's very smart and fun and beautiful. My son (3) starts preschool in September, has the best comedic timing I have ever seen, is also very smart, very creative, and handsome and affectionate. Our one year old is just as smart as the older ones, if not smarter (at his age), he's strong and has a great sense of humor and adorable. Melissa is a great mom and great artist who doesn't get recognized as an artist often enough.

When I started drawing portraits for girls in junior high, I never imagined that I would eventually have a great family and fine artistic reputation while still not able to pay for toilet paper or a decent wedding anniversary. I would like to think that things will get better and that this time in our life is going to make us stronger, but I thought that last year, and the year before that. I am working on focusing my time on my art career since I have alot of spare time where a job used to be. I hope that this blog is an integral part of my success, as well as an entertaining and/or inspirational read for its readers.

A few days ago I posted about seeing Sammy Hagar in concert. He has been a great inspiration to me and my path. He is a strong, successful artist who has a family and powerful career. He started out on hard times. During his show, he talked about following your dreams. He said that he gets inspired by those who struggle through the hard times, to see through the fog and have a clear vision of what they want. In the end, it's the dreams that you strive for that force you through the tough times. It's the strong dreamers who grasp the grail. Reach for the stars and don't let anything get in your way. It all sounds cliche, but it's something that I really took to heart and realized that through this music and his life, I've seen that inspiration, even before I got married, and am following my dreams. I have achieved some of my goals due to my perserverence. Alot of people, family members included, have told me I should just put the art career to the side and get a real job. They want me to give up. Too many artists give up and get into other careers, other ventures. Screw that. I've worked hard to accomplish what I have and I told myself years ago that I will NOT give it up. I want to show those who question my decisions that I can do this. I refuse to give in. My only concern is that my family will suffer because of my stubborness, but I'm also doing it for them. I don't want my kids to look back and find out that I used to draw and paint but don't do that anymore. I want them to be proud of their parents.

In the end, I hope that my children see what I see and know that I tried.

The link below is to the drawing I currently have up for sale on Ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=160260241979

Now remember, this is the ORIGINAL drawing, not a print of one. I do have more prints for sale, one of which of the montage I displayed here before.

I will be on Ebay regularly trying to sell prints, artwork, etc.
You see, I recently quit my job due to lack of hours and respect. I was only getting 15hours of work at minimum wage with no hope of raise or promotion (promotion does not entail pay raise there. Just means more responsibility and blame on your shoulders at minimum wage). I was being lied to by the "new management" and lied about. So, I left. Now, I'm teaching for 2 weeks in Midland, and one week in August at Kirtland, and another two weeks at the end of August at Midland again.
I just need to fill the gaps financially by selling artwork. Diapers are low, all three kids wanna eat EVERY DAMN DAY, and bills are overdue. I will post shortly on the life and times of a struggling artist and father.
For now, spread the word about teh Ebay items, please and remember that I am also for hire for commission work if you don't like the musicians I already drew/painted. I take requests.

How I spent my NIGHT...

After Melissa's class, we decided poverty be DAMNED and trekked on down to Lansing to the Common Ground Festival to see the Red Rocker, Sammy Hagar and the Waboritas!!!!!! We didn't have the money for tix, so we decided to just watch from outside the fences. But THEN, some guy comes up and gives us 2 FREE tickets into the show!!!! We scurried inside and found that we could sneak up to the front, or at least near the front. Melissa snapped this AWESOME shot!

We can't afford to go to Midland tomorrow, but we got a free concert!!!

How I spent my afternoon....

After teaching my Drawing FUNdamentals class to kids ages 7-12 at the Midland Center for the Arts, I drew this charcoal of Sammy Hagar while I waited for my wife to finish her Ceramic FUNdamentals class. Just a quickie drawing. If you likey, e-mail me and we'll talk. I also take requests and always available for commission work!!!

Myspace pics

I have a bunch of pics of art and family available on my Myspace page. Here's the link: http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewAlbums&friendID=66500111

Behind Blue Eyes

In the spirit of VH1's Rock Honors of The Who this month, I decided to post a photo of my Pete Townsend charcoal drawing I did in 2000.

Ya see, I had the fantastic opportunity to give a drawing to the great Joe Walsh (of the Eagles, solo and James Gang, as well as playing Ed on the Drew Carey Show). He was performing at the Common Ground Festival in Lansing, Michigan and I did a drawing for him. After the show, a security guard worked some magic and got me a little meeting with Walsh's manager, Smokey Wendell. He loved the drawing, took it to Joe Walsh and they said I could meet him. It was great! I'll get into more detail in a later post about that WHOLE scenario...

After meeting Joe, Smokey pulled me aside and asked if I had any artwork of Pete Townsend, because Pete was going to be visiting Joe's house in a month and he thought it would be cool if he was given a drawing. I did not have one, however, but within the week I kicked this charcoal drawing out, but soon lost my wallet with Smokey's contact info!!!

Eight years later, I got it framed I displayed it publicly for the first time at my exhibit at the Enchante Gallery (which ended June 27th).

If you are interested in this drawing, please either leave a comment or email me. I'm thinking of putting it on Ebay, so act quickly.

Shameless plugs

I put some more prints on Ebay if you or someone you know likes ZZ Top or BB King and Eric Clapton. The links are below. Spread the word!!!

ZZ Top

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160257636277

Riding with the King Tribute (King and Clapton)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160257123307

Bid now before someone else hikes the prices up!!!!

Afraid of Hindi

Well, I KNOW that my devoted readers (that's YOU, Amy) have been holding your breath, just waiting for my next post. Well, I took a day off be-cau-u-u-u-u-u-u-u-use...

... I was typing in Hindi. I don't know how it happened, but everything I typed here converted to Hindi. Apparently I fixed it, but I was a little afraid to post for fear of not understanding what I had typed.

ANYWAY, here's a pic of the painting I did of my handsome lil nippers Mikey (3 1/2 yrs old) and Logan (1 1/2 years old). It's the most recent painting I've done. It's not quite as detailed as my usual work, but hell, don't they look cute???? And the photo isn't the best but I was anxious to share it. It was in my show at Enchante.

PLEASE let me know what you think!!!

Rock and roll!

The image to the left is from 2003. The little arm is my daughter Rebecca at 1 year old. This painting sold online.

Can ya feel it?? Can ya feel my hairs on my arms stand up? Hell, you might even HEAR it from where you're standing!!

July 7 in Lansing, Michigan at the Common Ground Festival the Red Rocker SAMMY HAGAR is gonna be in concert!!!! It's been a LOOOOONG time since I've seen the power of the Pink Rocker Mona on bass, the surge of energy from guitarist Vic Johnson, the thunder of David Lauser on drums, and that singer, Sammy Hagar, who plays guitar, too.

Unfortunately, my wife and I can't afford the $35(each) to see the show. We're gonna be about an hour away in Midland teaching until 5, but the shows don't start until 7. I'm kinda trying to sell artwork to be able to go to the show, because I'm quitting my miserable job and relying on the teaching gigs we picked up to pay bills. But the draw of the music and show itself is tuggin' at me!!!

Can ya save me?!? Can ya stop my hunger pangs???

COMIC GEEK UPDATE!!!!!!!!

As a devoted comic geek and aspiring comic artist, and with VERY limited budget, I rely on a certain website to help me keep up on my favorite titles.
The comic magazine Wizard Magazine has a website devoted to comics, sci-fi, and anything involving comics. The site is www.wizarduniverse.com I check it every day. If you like comics, or movies based on comics, cartoons or sci-fi, check this site out.

Art prints/posters on Ebay

Alright, I'm giving it another go. I'm selling some prints on Ebay in my desperate attempt to make money from my artwork to support my family and taffy addiction.

The "Riding With the King" print link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=160257123307

And here is the "SRV" link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=160257127214

I'm hoping to sell more, but want to sell these first so I don't owe more than I make (like the last time, which is why my stuff is being sold by my brother!!)

Tell your friends and neighbors!!

My role in Nutberger Ink

(The image to the left is a first sketch of VIETMIME from 2006)

A few years ago, I began a partnership with a West Branch writer by the name of Tim Schaiberger. He approached me to draw a graphic novel about his father who was a medic in the military during the Vietnam war. "Hmm", I thought, " reminds me of MASH, just a different war". So I said to Tim, "Hey, that sounds like MASH , just a different war. And it sounds like it's been done". Just to be a smart-ass, I said "What if you use, like, a mime in Vietnam."

And we both stopped and looked at each other.

"YEAH! A mime trapped in Vietnam!!" And thus began the creative process for our upcoming comic, "VIETMIME". We interpreted parts of his dad's war stories in with stuff we made up and are now doing the last minute work on the book. The problem is, Tim knows nothing about art or graphics, and my writing isn't strong enough to carry a story. But, I can write dialogue a little better. But, I'm doing all the drawing, inking, graphics and lettering/text. AND I have 3 kids 1-5yrs of age. So things have been moving slowly.

But, keep an eye out for the debut or release of VIETMIME by Nutberger Ink (Nut for Nuttall and Berger for Schaiberger).